Spain: Property Survey Recommended

Many Britons dream of owning a property in Spain, but research shows that when buying property abroad, only three in ten Britons have a survey carried out.

Banco Halifax Hispania believes that the importance of having a survey carried out cannot be overlooked when buying a property in Spain, as there are a number of things that could go wrong with the property which are not immediately obvious to the untrained eye.

Although surveying fees will increase the purchase cost, this sum is a relatively small price to pay for peace of mind, compared to the expense of trying to sort out unexpected difficulties in the future.

A professional surveyor will be able to identify signs of damage or causes for concern. Finding out about these potential problems at an early stage of buying may even help the renegotiation of a cheaper sales price to reflect the cost of repairs.

Your bank may be able to assist in giving advice regarding purchasing property in Spain. For example, Banco Halifax Hispania has an approved panel of English speaking Spanish surveyors who can assist you during your property purchase. They can also recommend English speaking Spanish solicitors who will ensure that all aspects of the purchase, including planning permission, title deeds and other legal requirements are satisfactory and will investigate the property as thoroughly as possible. They will also be able to carry out searches and legal investigations and check that there are no outstanding debts on the property.

This process is likely to be much smoother if the surveyor in Spain is fluent in English and has local knowledge and experience of acting for British customers. It is also good practice to use an independent solicitor rather than one that has been appointed by the agent that you are buying property from, to protect your best interests.